We review the features of our Flex 5000A HFtransceiver. It will be used in the trailer for Field Day operation. So if you come our for Field Day, you will be able to get some quality time with the radio. You will see how nice it works in contest conditions. Thanks to Don, K9KNZ for the use of the antenna; Granville, W9PNG for set up work; and Mike, N9NNL, for his help with the presentation.

Gregg, AB9MZ is going to review items and necessities that we should have in our "go-kit". This is a quickly assembled kit of radios, batteries, and other emergency gear you should have at home. He promises us NO Power Point slides.

Bandleader and Pop Historian Steve Cooper presents a video program of some of the funniest moments in music. Who can forget the great music and comedy of Spike Jones, Victor Borge and the "Hello Muddah" songs of Allan Sherman.

Note the date change

Highland IN Fire Dept has invited Hamfester’s Radio club to attend their Open House on October 8, 2016. Hamfesters’ trailer will be there and we will set up our field day station. Everyone is welcome. The open house is on October 8, 2016 at the Highland In Fire Dept, 2901 Highway Ave, Highland, Indiana 46322 (use the southbound Kennedy Ave exit off I80/94) Time: 11 am to 3 pm.

All Hamfesters members are invited to stop by and see the station in operation.
We hope to be testing our new antenna so it is ready for field day next year.
The club's Flex 5000 will also be operating along with some VHF gear.

Select members of Hamfester's Radio club has been invited to operate at the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for their 77th Anniversary. You must contact Mike Vannier, N9NNL, to get a pass to access the site.

We will be operating as a special event station using the call sign W9C. Look for W9C from your home station on Saturday!

November Meeting The sunspot numbers are falling (the dreaded Solar Minimum) and High Frequency propagation is getting worse. This means we may need to resort to some interesting tricks to increase the odds of making a meaningful QSO. Come to the November meeting and find some tricks to improve your HF communications.

Gregg, AM9MZ, will discuss the reverse beacon network (RBN), WSPRNet, CHIRP, near-real-time critical frequency maps, and other tools that have become available to us. I will also share tips and tricks that I have collected over the past few year or so that can further help us in getting the most out of the solar and atmospheric conditions until we achieve better conditions for long distance communications.

Any Hamfester member who has participated in helping with our Hamfest is invited to a planning meeting. If you have any ideas on what will be good and interesting for our hamfest, please attend. We need input and fresh ideas.

Hamfesters is pleased to announce our Christmas Party. We will start with a cash bar before dinner. That will be followed by a banquet style dinner with plenty of great food and fellowship. You must have a ticket to attend the party (see order box below).

Get your tickets at the October or November meeting from Jim, KB9CYL, or online $25 each person. Tickets ordered online will be held as "Will Call" at the door by Jim. If you wish to use a credit card and not PayPal, look around the order page for the option to use any credit card (look for the words: "Pay with debit or credit card" on lower right side of the PayPal page)

Hamfesters own Dave Bukowski, N9KPD, presents a qualifying weather storm spotting class. After attending you will earn a "trained spotter" certificate from the National Weather Service. Plan now to attend this important life saving offering. Arrive early as space is limited.

So we know you are coming and can prepare your certificate in a timely manner follow
this link to PRE-REGISTER.Pre-register here

Digital Mobile Radio is sweeping the amateur radio landscape. There is a lot of excitement about this new mode of voice communication. It is time to find out more about DMR. Hamfesters will give you the details of what this new open technology mode is all about.

We will answer the question why DMR is so compelling for hams to use and show us the basics of how DMR operates. We are sure you will be impressed with the presentation and the capabilities of the DMR mode. Patrick Brod, KB9ANL, will be introducing us to the wonderful world of DMR.

Several of our Hamfesters Club members have DMR radios and can show their operation to you after the meeting. DMR has been specifically designed to offer at least the same range as 12.5kHz channel analogue FM so a direct replacement or upgrade from analogue to DMR is a practical proposition. The technology promises improved range, higher data rates, more efficient use of spectrum, and improved battery life.

Notice: We will be taking orders for Field Day pins at the Friday meeting. This is the last chance to order: $6.00 each.

Jim, W9JPR, will present his annual review of past field day events and also plan for the 2017 Field Day event. Jim has a great collection of photos from past years activity that will certainly entertain us all! Field Day operation is your chance to get your hands dirty and get on the air. There is nothing like HF operation where you can pick off one station after the other. Improve your operating skills or maybe try CW using someone else's call! Also planned is a "no-rain" dance and ceremony.

We will enjoy a fun club "picnic" following a presentation of the Colors by the Bridgeview VFW. Thanks to Ron, for arranging this significant show of respect to our country in observance of Independence Day.

We will order in pizza for the main meal, but everyone is welcome to bring a side dish or desert to share. Presentation of the colors is a 7 pm and food will be available at about 7:15 pm.

If you bring food to share, be sure you have provision to keep it warm or chilled as appropriate.

Solar Eclipse 2017 - The day the sun will disappear - August 21st, 2017

"For a swath of the country from Portland, Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina, it will look like someone just turned off the sun in the middle of the day. Fourteen states across the US will experience about two minutes of darkness as the eclipse crosses from coast to coast between 10:15 a.m. Pacific Time in Oregon until about 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time in South Carolina. The real question is, have you figured out where you will be on August 21?”

Gregg, AB9MZ will offer suggestions and ideas for the well prepared amateur radio operator. This includes making sure your home station can handle power outages and severe weather.

In addition, a go-kit (or jump-kit) is what you prepare, keep ready, and grab on the way out the door when responding to the call for emergency response duties. It may consist of a fisherman’s vest, a bag or satchel, or any kind of soft (but well made) “carry-on” luggage. It must contain all the stuff you will or may need for at least a 24 hour stay at your post.

Everyone is invited to the Annual Highland Fire Department Open house celebrating Fire Prevention Week!

Contact Dave, N9KPD if you can help with radio coverage. They are using 440 analog radios

Notice The visuals for all Hamfesters’ presentations can be found here.

Annual Ham Cruise

Save these dates and plan to join us on a fun and relaxing cruise aboard the SS Badger: September 23 & 24The SS Badger is registered Historic Landmark and the only coal fired ship in the US.

We have full permission to install antennas on the top deck and install our radio gear on the deck below. Imagine a ham station on the water with a perfect ground (a steel ship!) and no local noise (we are in the middle of Lake Michigan!) Enjoy a place where you will have no cell phone coverage – bring your radios and antennas or a good book.

Most of us take a round trip, but of course, you could ferry your car with you and continue your adventure in Michigan.